I need help creating a function in javascript that produces random numbers generated from a normal curve distribution with a mean and standard deviation that I can specify (and easily change). I would like only whole numbers and the ability to set reasonable maximum and minimums.

// Three random numbers between -1 and 1 added together. That will give a normal distribution with mean = 0 and standard deviation = 1.
// The function will return a decimal with an average value of 0.

// Multiply the result by the standard deviation that you want, then add your desired mean.

alert (rnd(38,2)) // mean, standard deviation

</script>

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Dormilich

01-26-2012, 04:06 PM

// Three random numbers between -1 and 1 added together. That will give a normal distribution with mean = 0 and standard deviation = 1.
// The function will return a decimal with an average value of 0.

out of interest, do you have any detailed info about that statement?

Philip M

01-26-2012, 07:26 PM

out of interest, do you have any detailed info about that statement?

Not quite sure what you mean, but all I have done here is added three random numbers between -1 and 1 together. That will give a point (almost +3 to almost -3) on a normal distribution with mean = 0 and standard deviation = 1. This is also called standard normal distribution. Try it yourself:-